Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have been a little lucky this season, according to the expected record, which is three games worse than Toronto’s actual record.

That has something to do with their five wins by a single possession in the last month. They’ve also been blown out three times in that same span (at Philly, at Orlando, at San Antonio) and lost by nine at Boston.

The Raptors have done much to keep Kawhi Leonard fresh, even if this will be his only season as a Raptor. He didn’t play in Saturday’s 29-point win over the Grizzlies, a game the Raptors finished with 31 assist won the turnover battle, 10–24.

It was the 12th game Leonard has sat down this season. That will, ultimately, keep him from winning the MVP but his numbers sure are good: .550/.368/.853 with 27.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

Kyle Lowry’s shooting woes are a big concern, though. He’s actually shooting considerable better from two-point range, from last season, but dreadfully worse from three. As a result, he’s shooting an attempt less per game from outside, which will hurt the rest of Toronto’s offense. If he can start hitting, things will open up even more than they are now.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers dominated the weary Hornets on Sunday and won by 25 points at home. Nobody other than Kemba Walker scored more than 11 points for Charlotte, which turned it over 16 times, more than twice as many times as Indiana.

Despite missing some time earlier and a drop-off in his numbers from a season ago, Oladipo will likely be an All-Star again because guard play in the Eastern Conference is lacking a bit. He’s still averaging better than 19/5/5 with nearly two steals per game and just more than two turnovers.

I read a case for Domantas Sabonis to make the team, too, because the forward spot in the East is even thinner than guard. He’s scoring 15 points per game with a effective field goal percentage better than 62 but he does most of his damage against reserves, which has to count against him to an extent.

The Pacers will hit the road for the first time in two weeks on Friday, when they play the Grizzlies.

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